The Momentary in Bentonville will mark the opening of its latest exhibition, “Best in Show: Pets in Contemporary Photography,” with a free, family-friendly house party on Saturday, Nov. 23. The all-day event will offer activities, workshops and opportunities to explore the new exhibit celebrating the bond between pets and humans.
The festivities, hosted in collaboration with Best Friends Animal Society, will feature a pet adoption pop-up, treat-making workshops and live pet portrait painting by artist Amy Eichler. Attendees can also join games, artmaking sessions and pet-focused photography. Domesticated pets are welcome inside the “Best in Show” galleries during the event and throughout the exhibition’s run.
Mia, 2014 © Sophie Gamand
The House Party runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Momentary. Highlights include food trucks, music by DJ French Ethics and a guided tour of the exhibit. Guests can round out their day in Downtown Bentonville with the Lighting of the Square event later that evening.
The “Best in Show” exhibition, free and open to the public, will be on view from Nov. 23, 2024, through April 13, 2025.
Jolie, Cone of Shame, 2017 © Winnie Au
The full schedule can be seen below:
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Adoption Pop-up with Best Friends | Quonset Hut
Treat Making with Best Friends | Fermentation Hall
Live Pet Portrait Painting with Amy Eichler | Arvest Bank Courtyard
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Games | Arvest Courtyard and Onyx Coffee Lab
Happy Yappy Pet Photography | Boiler Room
DJ French Ethics | Arvest Bank Courtyard
Artmaking: Ear Headbands | Quonset Hut
Pet Food Donation Drive | Atrium
Pet Tag Making with Best Friends | Gallery 3
Treat Making with Best Friends | Fermentation Hall
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Live Pet Portrait Painting with Amy Eichler | Arvest Bank Courtyard
12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Food Trucks | Arvest Bank Courtyard
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Adoption Pop-up with Best Friends | Quonset Hut
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Exhibition Tour: Best in Show | Galleries
8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
After Party with DJ French Ethics | Arvest Bank Courtyard
Clementine, 2020 © Winnie Au
Sponsors of the exhibition include The Coca-Cola Company, Marsha and John Phillips, Scarlett and Neff Basore, Anna and Carl George, and Johnny Mike Walker. For more details, visit the Momentary’s website.
Feature Photo: Mathew and Hubert (Abyssinian) © Gerrard Gethings
READ ALSO: SouthPaw Pet Grooming Brings Paws and Perks to Park Hill
